Which are the most panoramic trails in Cinque Terre? You can choose among more than 50 trails, but here you go with our top ones:
Panoramic trails in Cinque Terre 1: Manarola – Corniglia / Corniglia – Vernazza
It follows the coastline in the middle of Cinque Terre and you can admire the villages while walking. Starting from Manarola you have to follow trail No.506 to Volastra. It will basically be the only part uphill. From Volastra you will have to follow No.586, which goes parallel to the coast and offers a stunning panorama. Then you will have to go along the trail No.587 to get to Corniglia, or No. 582/3 to go on to Vernazza.
Level: Quite Easy if appropriately equipped!
Duration:
– Manarola-Corniglia:1.15h
Panoramic trails in Cinque Terre 2: Campiglia – Porto Venere
Even though it’s not above Cinque Terre, trail No. N1 AV5T is one of the best of the entire Riviera. The full trail goes from Riomaggiore to Porto Venere and it’s 4 hours long. The short version many locals suggest is from Campiglia to Porto Venere. It takes around 2 hours and follows the coastline offering a sea view for the entire path. Arriving above Porto Venere the view is astonishing.
Level: Intermediate
Duration: Full: 4h // Brief: 2h
Panoramic trails in Cinque Terre 3: Sanctuary of Monasteroli
This trekking trail is one of those you will not find elsewhere. Its peculiarity is that it is composed of more than 1200 steps of stone.
You can do two different itineraries:
- Trail No.535 (or 4b) from Campiglia: it connects the small village of Campiglia with Fossola. After a while, you will find the Fountain of Nozzano and after that a crossroad, that connects the trail 4b with the one for Monasteroli: the trail No.536.
- Trail No. 504 from Pegazzano or Biassa (easy to reach from La Spezia by bus) and afterward it meets with the No.536.
At the beginning of the steps, you will find a sign “A memorial to the labor of men”, to celebrate the effort made to construct it. The first section of the stairway is pretty easy, but do not be fooled: it gradually becomes more and more steep and narrow.
All of this makes this path extremely panoramic and unique!
You will reach the few houses of Monasteroli going down towards the sea and if you will follow all the steps you will be also able to swim in the beautiful sea.
UPDATE: The last part of the trail is often blocked due to landslides, check it out before going down!
Level: Difficult, mainly steep!
Duration:
To go: 40/50 minutes
To come back: the official timing is around 1 hour and 15 mins, but it’s subjective.
Panoramic trails in Cinque Terre 4: The Sanctuary of Montenero
Above the Cinque Terre there are various sanctuaries, one for every village and they are reachable through different hiking paths (No.3-8 between Monterosso and Riomaggiore to see all of them). Among these sanctuaries, the one with the most panoramic view is the Sanctuary of Nostra Signora di Montenero. The hiking trail to get there it’s the No. 593V (part of 3A), which connects Riomaggiore to the Sanctuary. As an alternative, you can also reach it simply from the Road SP370 ( bus stop “Litoranea Sentiero Santuario” from La Spezia) to do just an easy trail of about 15 minutes.
Level: Intermediate
Duration: around 50 minutes
Tips by Locals:
- During the first part of the trail from Campiglia to Monasteroli, you will find the Fountain of Nozzano (built around 1805), useful to refill your water bottles!
- The Sanctuaries above Cinque Terre: Nostra Signora della Salute, Nostra Signora delle Grazie, Nostra Signora di Montenero, Nostra Signora di Reggio and Nostra Signora di Soviore. The entire hike from Monterosso to Riomaggiore, to visit all of them it’s around 5 hours and it’s free.
- If you are not an expert hiker but you still want to see Monasteroli stairway, I suggest you just to the first part of this trail and arrive at the beginning of the steps. It’s still beautiful just to admire it from above.
- Please be careful and fully equipped! Our coastline is as beautiful as steep. And always check out the openness of trails.
- I do not suggest Monasteroli to the ones afraid of heights!